With half a century of groundbreaking developments in neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), an old fascination with situating the locus of the human “spirit” in the “functional organization of the brain” has re-awakened. Primarily invented for radiologists to detect lesions and tumors in the brain, neuroimaging tools and techniques have now captured the imagination of other scholars, whose research involves a selective interpretation or compilation of neurological or psychiatric evidence that explains “the order of things” as it fits their theory. The media enthusiastically report of the brain circuit or regions that predict our predispositions to success, joy or sorrow. Addicted to our “self”, and peeping at it through the brain window, we live in a sort of “neuromania”. This is not historically unprecedented, except that now we have PET and fMRI, which serve as a “Mindoscope”. Both “neuromanics” and “neurocritics” claim that the fallout from these inventions will parallel the scientific revolution that followed the invention of Telescope and Microscope. Among the “neuromanics”, “neurophilosphers” claim that the practice of selecting the brain-mapping evidence that support their hypothesis, helps charter an “objective” model of human nature, morality, creativity. Equally enthusiastic, “neurorevolutionaries”, fascinated by economic prospects of neuroindustries, promise that by visualizing brain in action, they will uncover the secrets to becoming supermen. On the other hand “neurophobes” decry such arguments and remind of the marks left by “Eugenic sciences”. This work in progress, examines the historical precedents from Descartes onward, in the context of scientific developments in human brain mapping, as part of an effort to rescue legitimate neuroimaging from the fate of phrenology.

The Montreal Neuroethics Network promotes neuroethics training, education and dialogue by exposing various audiences to neuroethics issues; fostering collaboration and mutual learning; and ensure Montreal’s leadership in addressing ethical and social issues in neuroscience and healthcare delivery through inter-institutional collaborations.